Time course of pharmacokinetic and hormonal effects of inhaled high-dose salvinorin A in humans.
Matthew W Johnson, Katherine A Maclean, Michael J Caspers, Thomas E Prisinzano, Roland R. Griffiths
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) April 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116629125 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Healthy adults |
| Intervention | Salvinorin A |
| Dose | 21 mcg/kg (n=4), 18 mcg/kg (n=2) |
| Duration | 60 min post-inhalation for effect ratings, 90 min post-inhalation for blood samples |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Cortisol Endocrine Prolactin Pharmacokinetics pharmacokinetics Bloodstream Rapid onset Decline Levels Impacts the body Peaks Quickly Tracking Psychoactive compound Work Inhalation method Drug effects effects Participant experiences Correlating Linked |
| Citations | 11 |
| Post-publication review | 1 comment on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active September 2016 |
| Key findings | Plasma levels of vaporized salvinorin A peak at 2 minutes post-inhalation and are significantly positively correlated with participant and monitor drug effect ratings. |
Abstract
Salvinorin A is a kappa opioid agonist and the principal psychoactive constituent of the Salvia divinorum plant, which has been used for hallucinogenic effects. Previous research on salvinorin A pharmacokinetics likely underestimated plasma levels typically resulting from the doses administered due to inefficient vaporization and not collecting samples during peak drug effects. Six healthy adults inhaled a single high dose of vaporized salvinorin A (n = 4, 21 mcg/kg; n = 2, 18 mcg/kg). Participant- and monitor-rated effects were assessed every 2 min for 60 min post-inhalation. Blood samples were collected at 13 time points up to 90 min post-inhalation. Drug levels peaked at 2 min and then rapidly decreased. Drug levels were significantly, positively correlated with participant and monitor drug effect ratings. Significant elevations in prolactin were observed beginning 5 min post-inhalation and peaking at 15 min post-inhalation. Cortisol showed inconsistent increases across participants. Hormonal responses were not well correlated with drug levels. This is the first study to demonstrate a direct relationship between changes in plasma levels of salvinorin A and drug effects in humans. The results confirm the efficacy of an inhalation technique for salvinorin A.